Rush Limbaugh uses desperation in Detroit to criticize President Obama, stimulus program

AP PhotoDetroit residents fill out forms to apply for federal stimulus funds at Cobo Center in Detroit on Wednesday.Some said it was chaos. Some said it was unimaginably terrible. And Rush Limbaugh said it was indicative of a flawed nation and president.

Rumors of free money spread as people waited in line, scuffles broke out, police were called in and several people were treated for fainting and exhaustion.

Ken Rogulski of WJR AM-760 filed a report from Cobo and spoke with a woman in line.

While she wasn't sure exactly where the money was coming from, the woman said she thought some of the funds were "forgiven by Obama."

National pundit Rush Limbaugh picked up on that statement and used it criticize President Obama and the federal stimulus plan.

"That woman is the ideal American citizen," he said yesterday. "That woman is the citizen and the type of citizen Obama wants to build his future America on ...He believes such a downward direction is the morally proper one for America."

Detroit columnist Daniel Howes suggested the scene defined "a deep-seated culture of expectation and entitlement" working against Mayor Dave Bing as he tries to deal with the city's financial crisis.

Detroit's unemployment rate rose to nearly 30 percent in July, one in four households lives in poverty and the city's foreclosure rate is amongst the nation's highest.

"It clearly demonstrates that the need is so deep because of this enormous transition in our economy," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said this morning on WJR, "and the loss of the automotive jobs that have traditionally sustained us, including the suppliers."

Such aid is not "the final answer," she said, "but at least to transition, to help people get through this very, very difficult time is important. You have to be able to treat the patient in the emergency room while you look for the surgeon."